Maricopa County sheriff race 2024: Tyler Kamp, Jerry Sheridan face off in general election
ARIZONA ELECTION 2024
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Joe Arpaio was first elected Maricopa County sheriff in 1992.
Paul Penzone ousted Arpaio in 2016 and was reelected in 2020 but stepped down a year before the end of his term. Russ Skinner was appointed earlier this year to replace Penzone but lost in the Democratic primary.
Now, for the first time in decades, a sitting sheriff is not in the general election race.
The 2024 race for sheriff is down to Democrat Tyler Kamp and Republican Jerry Sheridan.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is one of the largest sheriff's offices in the nation, with upward of 3,000 employees, including deputies, jail guards and civilians.
The office patrols unincorporated areas of the county and municipalities without a designated police force. It also serves Superior Court orders and warrants, collects delinquent taxes, coordinates search and rescue missions and oversees the county's five jails.
As the campaign season progresses, The Arizona Republic's justice team will gather its reporting on the Maricopa County sheriff election and update this page. You will find information about the candidates and important developments in the race.
Who is Tyler Kamp, the Democratic candidate for Maricopa County sheriff?
Tyler Kamp previously worked as a shift commander, gang enforcement sergeant and homicide detective for the Phoenix Police Department. He is a fifth-generation resident of Maricopa County with more than two decades of law enforcement experience.
Kamp has promised to work to revamp recruiting, specifically targeting women and veterans’ populations while also focusing on retention. Primary voters said they liked Kamp because he came from outside the Sheriff's Office and didn't have the baggage associated with the challenges the institution faces. But Kamp has vowed to improve upon what he called the successes of the Penzone administration.
Who is Jerry Sheridan, the Republican candidate for Maricopa County sheriff?
Jerry Sheridan was the chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Office under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He served in various roles at the Sheriff's Office for 40 years, ultimately rising to second in command.
Sheridan says he is the best candidate to improve recruiting and retention because he will work to restore a sense of pride among employees. Several voters told The Arizona Republic during the primary they were supporting Sheridan because they believed he would bring back tactics from the times of Arpaio, who branded himself as "America's toughest sheriff."
Coverage of the 2024 Maricopa County sheriff's race
Despite switching party registration from Republican to Democrat in mid-December 2023, Kamp enjoyed the support of the county Democratic Party during the primary election. Sheridan defeated two other Republicans in the primary to make it to the general. He proved to be the best fundraiser by far in both primaries.
First debate: Kamp and Sheridan faced off in the first of two general election debates on Sept. 12
Candidates react to jail deaths: Sheridan, Kamp say how they would address high jail death rate
Headed into the general: How do Kamp and Sheridan plan to persuade general election voters?
In their own words: The Arizona Republic asked Tyler Kamp and Jerry Sheridan questions about how they would lead the Sheriff's Office. Here's what they had to say
Primary winners: Read what Kamp and Sheridan said after they won their competitive primaries
Democratic primary debate: Tyler Kamp and Russ Skinner faced off in an Arizona Clean Elections Commission debate
Republican primary debate: Mike Crawford, Frank Milstead and Jerry Sheridan participated in an Arizona Clean Elections Commission debate
Hear from voters: It has been more than 20 years since both Democrats and Republicans had competitive primaries for Maricopa County sheriff. What do voters have to say about the candidates?
Send election-related news and accountability tips to The Republic's justice reporters, Jimmy Jenkins, Elena Santa Cruz and Miguel Torres, at [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].
See all the races for Arizona
Voter guide: Election Day is Nov. 5. Here is a guide to help you learn about all the candidates and the voting and tabulating process.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County sheriff election 2024: Kamp, Sheridan face off
